What Should I Do If My Skin Is Irritated by Chili Peppers?

Update Date: 2024-06-07 Source: Network

Chilies contain a compound called capsaicin, which can cause microvascular dilation when it comes into contact with the skin, resulting in skin redness, warmth, and irritation of the pain nerve endings. This is the reason why cutting chilies can lead to a burning sensation on the skin. The burning sensation can be relieved by washing hands with water or applying ice.

Generally speaking, the burning sensation on the hands when cutting chilies is caused by the chemical transformation of the nerve endings in the skin due to capsaicin. Capsaicin is soluble in ethanol and alkaline aqueous solutions but insoluble in cold water. In the industrial process, capsaicin is extracted from chilies using edible alcohol as the extracting agent.

Based on this principle, in daily life, alcohol can be applied to dissolve the capsaicin on the hands. After cutting chilies, alcohol-soaked cotton balls can be used to wipe the hands in one direction, followed by rinsing with water and drying. This process should be repeated three times until the symptoms are relieved.

If the skin is irritated by chilies and there is still pain or a burning sensation after rinsing with water, the affected area can be immersed in ice to reduce the pain. After that, cooling ointment can be applied to the affected area to relieve the burning sensation.

It is advisable for individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, gastric diseases, gallbladder diseases, hemorrhoids, and eye diseases to avoid consuming chilies, as it may exacerbate symptoms and potentially prolong the recovery time.